Lampard signs new deal

Frank Lampard signs new deal...as an author

Frank Lampard. Credit: REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

Footballer Frank Lampard has signed a new deal - but unfortunately for Chelsea fans it is with a publisher to write children's books.

The midfielder is writing a series of five stories, based on the adventures of a school boy, his football-loving friends, and pet dog Max. Aimed at children aged five and over, the series with publishers Little Brown will be called "Frankie's Magic Football".

Lampard said the characters were "loosely based on friends and team mates" he's played with over the years.

He said: "I first had the idea of Frankie and his Magic Football when reading stories to my own children. Sport and reading are two essentials for us at home, so I decided to make up my own football stories and adventures."

Lampard is not the first footballer to turn author - Arsenal star Theo Walcott has written a series of children's books and former England manager, Terry Venables, co-wrote a series of crime novels.